On the first day there was a lot of information to take in as they explained the methodology we will be using for teaching.
Here's a little background on ILP:
The program started eighteen years ago with a group of BYU students, under the direction of Dr. McKee, teaching in a school in Russia. It was a hit from the beginning, but as BYU reviewed the program it didn't fit in with the study abroad programs because the emphasis was on teaching. So, a group of the original students decided that they would work to continue the program, not as a study abroad program, but as a non-profit organization. Since then, the program has grown immensely and they are now teaching in Russia, Ukraine, Mexico and China (where I'm going!)
The basis of the method is to just let the student talk in English as much as they can and hear as much English as possible. There are different rotations of about 25 minutes that we will be teaching. I can only remember five of them off the top of my head, and they are: Drama, Arts and Crafts, Kitchen, Games, and Gym. We try to get each of the students to say something at least once a minute. We have 25 objectives, and we choose one objective each day on which we focus our lessons and when the students use that objective, then we give them tokens (which they can buy little objects with at the end of the day.)
I am so excited to get over there and teach!
That was all the first day, the second day we focused on the rules and culture.
One thing I will have to get used to is how dirty it will be! The little kids don't wear diapers, but instead just have a slit in the back of their pants and go on the street. Also, the toilets are called squatters, they are basically holes in the floor! That'll be an adventure....
Another thing, wearing flip-flops is like wearing big giant bunny slippers. They are viewed as something you wear in the house only. For me, that's a huge deal--all I ever wear is flip-flops in the summer! And, oh boy, will it be HOT and HUMID!
I will have one week long vacation (I'll probably head up north to Beijing.) Other longer weekends will be provided, so I can make other vacations to different parts of the country. Some of the places I hope to make it to are: Xi'an, Guilin (Yangshuo), Huangshan, Hangzhou, Shanghai, SanYa. I don't know if I'll make it to all of them, but I just know I am SO excited!
Here's a little background on ILP:
The program started eighteen years ago with a group of BYU students, under the direction of Dr. McKee, teaching in a school in Russia. It was a hit from the beginning, but as BYU reviewed the program it didn't fit in with the study abroad programs because the emphasis was on teaching. So, a group of the original students decided that they would work to continue the program, not as a study abroad program, but as a non-profit organization. Since then, the program has grown immensely and they are now teaching in Russia, Ukraine, Mexico and China (where I'm going!)
The basis of the method is to just let the student talk in English as much as they can and hear as much English as possible. There are different rotations of about 25 minutes that we will be teaching. I can only remember five of them off the top of my head, and they are: Drama, Arts and Crafts, Kitchen, Games, and Gym. We try to get each of the students to say something at least once a minute. We have 25 objectives, and we choose one objective each day on which we focus our lessons and when the students use that objective, then we give them tokens (which they can buy little objects with at the end of the day.)
I am so excited to get over there and teach!
That was all the first day, the second day we focused on the rules and culture.
One thing I will have to get used to is how dirty it will be! The little kids don't wear diapers, but instead just have a slit in the back of their pants and go on the street. Also, the toilets are called squatters, they are basically holes in the floor! That'll be an adventure....
Another thing, wearing flip-flops is like wearing big giant bunny slippers. They are viewed as something you wear in the house only. For me, that's a huge deal--all I ever wear is flip-flops in the summer! And, oh boy, will it be HOT and HUMID!
I will have one week long vacation (I'll probably head up north to Beijing.) Other longer weekends will be provided, so I can make other vacations to different parts of the country. Some of the places I hope to make it to are: Xi'an, Guilin (Yangshuo), Huangshan, Hangzhou, Shanghai, SanYa. I don't know if I'll make it to all of them, but I just know I am SO excited!
